1997 Porsche Boxster problems
The 1997 Porsche Boxster has 30 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (27%) concerns air bags. Next are electrical system (23%) and seat belts (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 30 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 14 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 7 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 14 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 55,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a fire.
It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Consumer had vehicle serviced because of white smoke from tailpipe. Dealer could not find anything wrong. Consumer drove vehicle home from dealer. After about 35 minutes, he was stopped by guard of his community, who saw fire coming from rear of vehicle. Fire department put out fire, vehicle was totalled. Cause of fire unknown at this time. Consumer not injured.
Upon exiting the vehicle consumer noticed flames coming from the intake manifold. This occurred after the consumer installed a new battery, and drove for approximately 2 miles. Then consumer turned the vehicle off.
The passenger side micro switch failed to operate properly; caused air bag light to come. Air bag is now disconnected & will not operate. Will be taken vehicle to dealer to check out.
Purchased a 1997 porsche boxster approx 1 month ago. Went to start the vehicle and the battery was dead. Charged up the batter and noticed that when the vehicle is turned on there was no air conditioning, windshield wipers didn't work. When the vehicle is turned off, the dash lights remained on along with the radio therefore causing the batter to die. Check on your website for any recalls for this defect. Noticed that there was a recall for this #98v-113 dtd 22 may 1998 for this exact problem I'm having.
I took my 1997 porsche boxster to my porsche service dealer in cincinnati, ohio with a seat belt warning light on. A diagnosis was done and code received, to the effect that my seat belts needed replacing, both driver and passenger, due to a electrical short in the seat belt warning/air bag system. The total repair ranges @ $1100, $500 parts + $600 labor. I have researched this problem with porsche boxsters going back to the late nineties up to today.